As another Little League season approaches us, the Board of Directors of Weston Little League wants to answer some of the questions that are frequently asked as well as provide some information to our families.Additional information is available on our website www.westonll.com.

Weston Little League is part of Little League International (www.littleleague.org).We generally follow their policies, rules, guidelines and philosophy.

Weston Little League Philosophy:

It is our goal to develop your child’s baseball skills and enjoyment of the game.To achieve these goals we expend much effort in making sure we have good, qualified coaches, that we have excellent fields and that your child is placed in the appropriate division.We also have implemented unique playing time rules to make sure that each player on a team has opportunities in every game to play in the infield and that stars and learning players alike spend equal time on the bench.We also limit team size so that the time spent on the bench for all kids is minimized.

Weston Little League has playing opportunities available for children beginning in first grade through age 12.We operate full seasons in the spring and fall and an “all star” season over the summer. Weston Little League also sponsors skills between seasons.

We hope you and your children enjoy their Little League experience.Thank you for registering.

During the spring season, we offer three divisions of minor league play and two divisions of majors.Each division is unique and has its own goals.A brief description of each spring division follows. With the exception of league assignment, these descriptions also apply to the fall season.

Minor Leagues:

A DivisionAll first graders are assigned to this division.It is often a player’s first exposure to baseball.

Primary purpose:To introduce the game to our youngest players and to teach the basic skills of baseball.

Competitiveness:To limit competitive influences; we do not keep score, each batter hits once per inning.

Pitching:The coaches pitch from wherever is necessary to encourage batter contact and there are no strike outs.

Practices & Games:Each weekend, each team is scheduled to have one practice and one game.There is no commitment during the week.

Team Placement: Players are placed on individual teams by the Board according to ratings for those that played in the fall.New players are randomly assigned.

Season Goals:Players will have learned such skills as running through first base, sliding, the basic hitting, catching and throwing motions.

AA DivisionAll second graders are assigned to this division.

Primary Purpose:To focus on skills development.

Competitiveness:Some aspects of competition are introduced.The score is kept during the games and teams are limited to three outs per time at bat.However, we do not keep standings or hold playoffs.

Pitching:Pitching is by a pitching machine.Modified strike outs are introduced.

Practices & Games:Each weekend, each team is scheduled to have one practice and one game.There is no commitment during the week.

Team Placement:Players are placed on teams by the Board according to player ratings prepared by past coaches.Coaches are not involved in placing individual players on specific teams.

Season Goals:Players will have reinforced the skills learned in the A division along with watching the runner in front of you, understanding force outs and covering second base when the ball is hit to the left or right side.

AAA DivisionThis league is for LL 9s and 10s (see LL Age description below) that are not yet ready for the Majors and is the first competitive Little League division.All 3rd and 4th graders regardless of age and skill level will be placed in either this division or in the Majors during the spring season.

Competitiveness:This division, while always continuing to teach skills, includes teamrecords, standings and playoffs.

Pitching:This level is the first at which players pitch.Walks and traditional strikeouts apply.

Practices & Games:There are usually two games and one practice scheduled each week (both weekdays and weekends).

Team Placement:Players in this league are placed on teams by the Board according to prior coaching ratings and from the coaches’ review at the Assessment Day (see below).Coaches are not involved in placing individual players on specific teams.

Season Goals:Players will have reinforced the skills learned in the A and AA divisions along with cut-off throws from the outfield, double play techniques, bunting and pitching mechanics.

Major Leagues

American LeagueThis league is for players that are LL 10 (see LL Age description below) and older.Exceptional LL 9s may also participate if they are an Impact Player (see below). All 5th and 6th graders regardless of age and skill level will be placed in either the American or the National Leagues.

Competitiveness:This is a competitive, coach drafted division.American League coaches are free to select any age eligible player that is not drafted into the National League (see below) based upon prior year evaluations and Evaluation Day performance.This league is a full competitive league using Little League Majors rules.

Practice & Games:There is at least one scheduled practice during the week and two or three games during the week (both weekday and weekend).

Team Placement:Our American League coaches are experienced Little League coaches who spend significant time assessing ballplayers as they prepare for their draft.In most cases they have coached for several seasons and are familiar with the players.Players are chosen based on skills and how a player can best contribute to a team.

Season Goals:Players will have reinforced the skills learned earlier along with advanced pitching mechanics and strategies, batting strategies, outfield play and tagging up.

National LeagueThis league is for players that are LL 11 (see LL Age description below) and older.Exceptional LL 10s may also participate if they are an Impact Player (see below).7th graders regardless of age and skill level will be placed in the National League.

Competitiveness:This is a competitive, coach draft division and the highest level of play Weston Little League offers, using Little League Majors rules.

Practice & Games:There are a minimum of one scheduled practice during the week and two to three games during the week (weekdays and/or weekends).

Team Placement:Our National League coaches are very experienced Little League coaches and spend significant time assessing ballplayers to prepare for the draft.In most cases they have coached for several seasons and are familiar with the players.Players are chosen based on skills and how a player can best contribute to a team.

Season Goals:To get all players ready to graduate to Babe Ruth baseball.

Definitions

Impact Player: An Impact Player is a player who is a year below typical eligibility for a Major League, but is considered an exceptional player and is drafted in the first 6rounds of either the American League or National League draft.

Eligibility:All Weston children from first grade through Little League age 12.

LL Age:Little League determines a player’s age as of his or her age on April 30 of the calendar year.

Evaluation Day:

Assessment Day is for all players that are in the third grade or older except for those that are returning to their National League team from the prior springn [if the League institutes a Keeper League plan].All AL and NL coaches, as well as several Board members, are present and are provided the coach evaluations from past fall and spring seasons..This is not a tryout as all players will be placed on a Little League team.The number of teams in each division are based on the number of qualified players and, therefore, is subject to change every season.The evaluation is for the coaches to assess the division appropriate for their age, grade and skill level.Because competitive balance across teams in a division is so important, it is mandatory for all eligible players to be assessed.If an eligible player cannot make it, they need to contact the Player Agent (see Contacts on the website for contact information for the Player Agent) and arrange for a private evaluation by one or more Board members.

Evaluation Day is typically held towards the end of March, after the close of registration. Notification of Evaluation Day will be included in all registration emails.

Player Ratings:

At the end of each season all head coaches are asked to submit detailed ratings on all of their players.These ratings are then double checked by one or more board members in order to assure a consistent rating basis and become one of the criteria used to determine a player’s division placement and team assignment.

How Head Coaches are chosen:

WLL is always looking for quality head coaches.There is a set of attributes that the Board looks for in a coach and a Board representative meets individually with all new head coach candidates. We seek coaches who evidence Ability (to teach baseball skills and manage a team), Aptitude (to create a fun and positive experience for all) and Attitude (to act as a role model for sportmanship, fair play and civility). One key part of the decision-making process is the evaluations that parents are asked to fill out at the end of the season.These questionnaires are very important.Another component is forms filled out by each head coach evaluating the other head coaches in their division.If you are interested in being a Head Coach or you have a recommendation on a good Head Coach candidate, please notify the Board member in charge of coaching (see the Contacts page of the website).

What to do if you are concerned about the Division your child plays:

If you have a concern about your child’s placement, you must alert the Player Agent prior to Evaluation Day.Some legitimate concerns include: the potential your child will be placed at a level above his skills; the potential your child will be placed in a division with few kids that are his age or grade; or your child’s ability may create a safety concern for other players..If you let the Player Agent know this in advance and in writing, we will ensure that your concerns are addressed.It is absolutely imperative that you make your views known prior to Evaluation Day.Teams are formed very quickly thereafter and competitively balanced so subsequent changes are rarely accommodated.

If you have a real concern after the teams have been formed, please first take a deep breath. A lot of thought and effort have been given to your child’s placement.We believe, and experience has shown, that it is more important that your child have a successful baseball experience rather than being placed in an overly challenging division so that he can be with his friends.In recent memory, no player has moved to a higher division once teams were set. Please direct any concerns to the Player Agent.

What do you do if you are concerned about your child being placed with a particular coach or player:

Send a written note to the Player Agent before Evaluation Day and we will accommodate you with respect to one child and one coach.